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WASHINGTON - Thursday is Pope Francis' last day in Washington, D.C. His schedule on his last day took him to the U.S. Capitol and to St. Patrick’s Church. He will depart for New York at 4 p.m. from the Joint Base Andrews.

11:15 a.m. - Visit to St. Patrick’s Church and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington A blessing and remarks to the clients and homeless gathered at lunchtime for the St. Maria Meals Program of the Catholic Charities for the Archdiocese of Washington.

4:00 p.m. - Departure For New York City Following his visit to St. Patrick’s church, Pope Francis will depart at 4 p.m. from the Joint Base Andrews.

Security Screenings

All attendees, including the general public and ticketed guests, will be subject to a thorough security screening before entering the Papal motorcade route or designated Papal events. Please be advised that all Washington D.C. Papal sites, with the exception of the parade, are ticketed events. No other individuals will be allowed access. Please allow additional time for these security screenings.

General Prohibited Items

General Prohibited Items: As a security precaution, the following items will be prohibited from entry into Papal events in Washington, D.C.:

This transportation plan provides the general outlines for road closures, vehicular and pedestrian restricted zones, charter vehicles, pedestrian routes and public transportation. Additional information is available online for residents of Washington, D.C. Additions to this plan may be made prior to the start of events and will be updated on partnering agency websites. Specific questions regarding this transportation plan should be directed to the participating agencies as identified.

Road Closures, Parking and Pedestrian Restrictions

Road closures, parking restrictions and changes to public transportation routes and public works services in the areas of the Apostolic Nunciature of the Holy See (Vatican Embassy),Conference of Catholic Bishops, the U.S. Capitol, and various PEPCO locations.

Parking restricted areas will be posted with “Emergency No Parking” signage. Fencing, other physical barriers and uniformed law enforcement officers will also be utilized to enforce vehicle and pedestrian restricted zones.

VATICAN EMBASSY

The following parking restriction will be implemented beginning 10 a.m. Monday, September 21.

The restriction will remain in effect until approximately 4 p.m. Thursday, September 24:

***MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE NW between Observatory Circle South and 34th Place NW will be closed to all northbound traffic. Southbound traffic will be permitted between 34th Street NW and Waterside Drive NW. All northbound truck traffic will be diverted onto Q Street NW at Sheridan Circle NW. All other northbound traffic will be diverted onto Rock Creek Parkway at Waterside Drive NW. All southbound truck traffic will be diverted east on Garfield Street NW or continue south on Wisconsin Avenue. Massachusetts Avenue NW will be closed to all traffic intermittently***

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ST. PATRICK’S CATHOLIC CHURCH

The following parking restrictions will be implemented beginning 7 p.m. Wednesday, September 23.

The restrictions will remain in effect until 2 p.m. Thursday, September 24:

-G Street - Both Sides of Street between 8th and 11th Streets NW

-G Place - Both Sides of Street between 9 th and 10th Streets NW

-9th Street – Both Sides of Street between H and F Streets NW

-10th Street – Both Sides of Street between H and F Streets NW

The following roads will be closed to all vehicular traffic beginning 9 p.m. Wednesday, September 23 through 2 p.m. Thursday, September 24:

-G Street NW between 8th and 11th Streets NW

-G Place NW between 9th and 10th Streets NW

-9 th Street NW between H and F Streets NW

-10th Street NW between H and F Streets NW

U. S. CAPITOL

The following roads will be closed to all vehicular traffic beginning 5 p.m. Wednesday, September 23, through 4 p.m. Thursday, September 24:

-Maryland Avenue SW between 3rd and 1st Streets SW

-Pennsylvania Avenue NW between 3rd and 1st Streets NW

The following roads will be closed to all vehicular traffic beginning 12 a.m. Thursday, September 24, through 12 p.m. September 24:

The airspace around Washington, D.C. is more restricted than in any other part of the country.

There is an existing prohibition against flying any type of unmanned aircraft without specific approval around the District of Columbia, cities, towns, and airports.

Restrictions have temporarily been expanded to include Potomac Airfield, College Park, and Washington Executive/Hyde Park airports.

Pilots are strongly encouraged to check NOTAMs frequently for possible changes prior to operations in the area or contact a Flight Service Station at 1-800-992-7433 to check for all current NOTAMs.

Public Transit

Metrorail

The Metrorail system will operate regular hours on all days of the Papal visit, with stations opening at 5 a.m. and closing at midnight.

Regular fares and parking fees will be charged.

All stations will be open; however, selected station entrances may be temporarily closed for short periods due to security needs.

There will be no scheduled track work during the Papal visit.

Metro will provide additional train service during non-peak hours Wednesday and Thursday during the Papal visit.

However, because Metro does not have the ability to add significant capacity during the morning and evening rush hours, riders should expect significant crowding aboard trains and at rail stations near Papal events.

Specifically, riders may need to wait extended periods of time-- possibly hours--before re-entering the Metrorail system at certain stations following large events.

All riders are encouraged to allow extra travel time during the Papal visit.

All riders who are planning to use Metro during the Papal visit are strongly encouraged to purchase fare media in advance.

Each traveler needs his or her own SmarTrip or paper fare card, which should be loaded with sufficient value to pay for all planned travel.

Riders can purchase SmarTrip cards online prior to September 14 by visiting https://smartrip.wmata.com/storefront.

Due to capacity limitations at Brookland Station (closest station to the Mass at the Basilica), attendees should consider using alternate shuttle bus service from Fort Totten or Rhode Island Avenue stations.

Metrobus service will operate on a regular weekday schedule during the Papal visit.

Regular fares will be charged on all routes.

Due to the Papal visit security plan, many bus routes in Washington, D.C., will be adjusted, detoured or shortened. Information about individual Metrobus routes will be posted at http://wmata.com/PapalVisit as plans are finalized.

All bus riders are strongly encouraged to allow additional travel time, and to sign up for Metro Alerts email and text messages to be notified of any late changes or real-time updates.

Online Information The District of Columbia will use several online resources for communicating useful information on street closures, traffic disruptions and more.

MTA MARC Train

MTA will add capacity to select MARC trains on the Camden and Brunswick lines on Wednesday and Thursday to handle an expected increase in ridership during Papal events. The trains, which typically carry between three and four passenger cars each, will include an extra car to accommodate 125 more riders. Additionally, Brunswick Line train #871 that normally operates only on Fridays will operate on both Wednesday and Thursday. For MARC Train information, click here.

MTA Commuter Bus

Commuter Bus service will operate a modified AM and PM schedule on Wednesday, September 23, and Thursday, September 24. Due to the expected traffic congestion by event visitors and significant road closures, MTA has determined that the best way to accommodate our Washington, D.C., commuters is to provide service to five (5) Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Metrorail Stations: Landover, Silver Spring, Branch Avenue, Suitland and Greenbelt. For the complete MTA Commuter Bus modified schedule, please click here.

D.C. Papal Visit Information and updates for the 2015 D.C. Papal visit will be available online through the following websites: